At least three startups in the D.C. area have made enough commotion to get selected to pitch on ABC's Emmy award-winning investing reality show Shark Tank, and now a socially responsible business launched by Virginia Tech alums will join the ranks.
ABC announced Wednesday that two engineering graduates from Virginia Tech will be pitching their social good backpack startup to the sharks in hopes of securing some dough. The college couple, Alley Heffern and Jack DuFour, will be sharing the story behind Taaluma Totes, backpacks created out of international fabrics. Hopes are that they'll "do well by doing good" when they add that 20 percent proceeds made from Taaluma Totes go right back to the country of the fabric's origin in microloans.
“We hunt for the world’s wackiest fabrics, so the totes can’t be ignored,” said Heffern, co-founder of Taaluma Totes, in a statement. “When you carry Taaluma, you are reminded that there is a whole world out there filled with different countries and cultures to explore.” Basically, you're carrying a country on your shoulders.
Launched in 2012, Taaluma Totes weren't just developed to help those abroad, but also to help people at home in Virginia. The backpacks are made by adults in the Commonwealth with disabilities.
Other local startups like Eyebloc, Surprise Ride and Zoobean have tried their luck on Shark Tank, some failing and some succeeding. Tune into ABC's hit show on Feb. 20 at 9/8c to see if this Virginia Tech startup sinks or swims.
